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ASEAN moves forward on ambition of power grid advancement
During the the 41st ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM) and the ASEAN Energy Business Forum (AEBF) on Aug. 25, key players in the region’s energy sector came together to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU).
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uring the the 41st ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM) and the ASEAN Energy Business Forum (AEBF) on Aug. 25, key players in the region’s energy sector came together to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU). The signing was done with the aim to provide a robust framework for joint efforts and expedite the seamless integration of cross-border electricity trade through the ASEAN Power Grid (APG). The participating organizations are the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE), Southeast Asia Energy Transition Partnership (ETP) and Clean, Affordable and Secure Energy for Southeast Asia (CASE).
The agreement is expected to work toward the implementation of the ASEAN Power Grid Advancement Program (APG-AP). The MoU represents a significant step toward realizing the findings of the ASEAN Interconnection Master Plan (AIMS) III Study of higher integration of renewable energy sources across the ASEAN region through ASEAN Power Grid, as part of the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) Phase II: 2021-2025.
"Our new partnership with the ETP and CASE is critical to supporting ASEAN in realizing ASEAN Power Grid to expand regional multilateral electricity trading. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to a common goal – that of accelerating the integration of the ASEAN power sector and advancing energy transitions now and in the coming years," remarked Nuki Agya Utama, executive director of ACE.
The agreement is in line with ACE’s role as a catalyst to unify and strengthen ASEAN energy cooperation and integration by implementing relevant capacity building programs and projects to assist the member states develop their energy sector. ACE has also been tasked to act as a think tank to assist ASEAN states to identify innovative solutions for energy challenges on policies, legal and regulatory frameworks and technologies, as well as act as an energy data center to provide a knowledge repository for member states.
An energy transition in the ASEAN region is made possible by several multilateral collaborations related to the Paris Agreement signed by numerous countries. One of the most prominent partnerships, CASE, is jointly implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and international and local expert organizations in the area of sustainable energy transformation and climate change.
Sascha Oppowa, project director of CASE, GIZ, said, "We are happy to contribute to expediting efforts within ASEAN toward a cross-border cooperation of power systems and greater integration of renewable energies. Together with our partners in the APG-AP, as well as like-minded stakeholders, we look forward to supporting ACE in this ambitious endeavor."
Another multilateral cooperation, the ETP, which is formed by governmental and philanthropic partners, was initiated to accelerate sustainable energy transition in Southeast Asia in line with the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The ETP works with the United Nations to help mobilize and coordinate technical and financial resources to build the foundations for renewable energy, energy efficiency and sustainable resilient infrastructures.
"This agreement is focused on advancing the APG to an integrated system that will enable multilateral power trading to meet the ASEAN’s rising energy demand and renewable energy targets as defined in the political ambitions of the region’s energy leadership,” stated John Cotton, senior program manager of the Southeast Asia Energy Transition Partnership, the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).
Steering the ASEAN Power Grid Program's impact on energy integration, the APG Advancement Program envisions a coordinated process to facilitate effective decision-making in line with emerging plans, a tangible road map fostering APG progress from conception to realization, as well as a comprehensive analysis spanning economic, technical, environmental and governance dimensions.
The dynamic partnership seeks to amplify the ASEAN Power Grid Program's influence on power sector integration, underpinned by collective determination, transparent communication and effective collaboration.
